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Biggio gives Astros motivational speech

Biggio gives Astros motivational speech

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Craig Biggio

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HOUSTON -- Astros interim manager Tony DeFrancesco had Craig Biggio address the team in a meeting prior to Wednesday's game, a speech that emphasized to the young team the right way to play the game, such as taking an extra base and always hustling.

"We're just trying to keep the place loose and motivated," DeFrancesco said. "I brought Biggio in to talk to the guys and we're trying to find out the Astros way, what it was like back in the era when they dominated and they got to the World Series. For me, there's no better person than the guy I knew since he was 21 years old."

DeFrancesco and Biggio both played baseball at Seton Hall University, but not together. DeFrancesco left the school to start his professional career in 1984 just as Biggio was arriving. Biggio jumped at the chance to talk to the team.

"I was honored to do it," Biggio said. "Obviously, this organization has been the only organization I've ever played with, and getting the opportunity to talk in front of the boys was a nice thing."

Biggio, who played 20 years for the Astros and has been associated with the club for 25 of its 50 years, broke into the Majors in 1988 and said he learned the right way to play the game from guys like Nolan Ryan, Buddy Bell and Bill Doran, who helped him make the transition to second base.

"You want to make sure the legacy is continued and you're playing the right way because that's the only way you're supposed to play the game," Biggio said.